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Update developer program details and add billing requirements #275

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72 changes: 52 additions & 20 deletions docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md
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@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
title: Set up a Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription
description: Set up a Microsoft 365 developer subscription for building solutions independent of your production environment.
ms.date: 07/30/2026
ms.date: 09/02/2026
ms.localizationpriority: high
---

Expand All @@ -20,6 +20,17 @@ If you qualify for a Microsoft 365 E5 subscription through the developer program
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Your Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription is for development purposes only and can be revoked if you use it for purposes other than development. For details, see the [Microsoft 365 Developer Program Terms and Conditions](terms-and-conditions.md).

## Billing account requirement

> [!IMPORTANT]
> **A valid billing account is required to set up a Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox. This requirement can't be bypassed.**
>
> The billing account is used for verification and to enable future paid purchases. You will not be charged for the developer sandbox. Charges are incurred only if you intentionally purchase a paid product or service.
>
> You can use an eligible individual billing account or, if you have the required permissions, an existing organizational billing account. Before you begin, make sure that the Microsoft Customer Agreement is accepted, an Azure plan is enabled, the billing profile and invoice section are active, and any applicable Azure subscription spending limit is removed.
>
> If your MCA billing account doesn't have an Azure plan, create an invoice section. This action might provision the required Azure plan. For instructions, see [Organize your invoice based on your needs](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mca-section-invoice). For all billing requirements, see [Configure billing details](#step-2-configure-billing-details).

## Instant sandbox

Your Microsoft 365 developer subscription is provisioned as an instant sandbox, a fully pre-configured E5 developer environment that's ready in minutes. It comes pre-loaded with:
Expand All @@ -44,12 +55,9 @@ For details on the sample data, see [Developer sandbox sample data](install-samp
Before you begin, make sure you have:

- A Microsoft account to sign in with.
- A valid billing account (you can create one during setup if you don't already have one).
- A valid individual or organizational billing account. Linking a billing account is mandatory and can't be bypassed. You can create an individual billing account during setup if you don't already have one.
- A business phone number and address, for billing account creation.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> You will not be charged for the free E5 developer sandbox. Billing details are required only for account verification and to enable future add-on purchases.

### Step 1: Choose your sandbox type

1. On your profile page, choose **Set up E5 subscription**.
Expand All @@ -68,29 +76,41 @@ On the **Set up your Microsoft 365 E5 instant sandbox** screen, provide your dat

![Billing details screen showing country/region, billing account, billing profile, and invoice section fields](images/billing-details-screen.png)

You can use either of the following billing account types:

- **Organizational billing account** — An existing billing account owned by your organization. Enterprise users can link this account instead of creating a new one if they have permission to use its billing profile and invoice section. If you don't have the required permissions, contact your organization's billing administrator.
- **Individual billing account** — A billing account that you own and manage. If you don't have an eligible billing account, you can create one during sandbox setup.

The billing account must meet the following requirements:

- It is an active Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) billing account, and the agreement has been accepted.
- It contains an active billing profile and invoice section that you have permission to use.
- An Azure plan is enabled on the account.
- Any spending limit that applies to the associated Azure subscription is removed.

1. **Select country/region.** Choose the data center region closest to you from the **Country/region for your data center** dropdown.

> [!NOTE]
> Your region can't be changed after sign-up, so choose carefully.

2. **Select a billing account.** Click the **Billing account** dropdown.
- If you have an existing eligible billing account associated with your Microsoft account, select it and skip to step 4.
- If the dropdown is empty or your account isn't listed, continue to step 3 to create one.
- If you have permission to use an existing eligible individual or organizational billing account, select it and skip to step 4.
- If the dropdown is empty or your account isn't listed, continue to step 3 to create one.

3. **Create a new billing account** (if required). Choose **Add a new billing account** to open the Microsoft billing account creation flow in a new window, and complete the three-step wizard:
3. **Create a new individual billing account** (if required). Choose **Add a new billing account** to open the Microsoft billing account creation flow in a new window, and complete the three-step wizard:

![Create a new billing account wizard showing account details, sign-in details, and payment setup steps](images/create-billing-account.png)

1. **Account details** — your name, business address, country/region, and business phone number.
2. **Sign-in details** — confirm or set up sign-in credentials for the billing account.
3. **Payment setup and finish** — review and accept the Microsoft Customer Agreement.
1. **Account details** — your name, business address, country/region, and business phone number.
2. **Sign-in details** — confirm or set up sign-in credentials for the billing account.
3. **Payment setup and finish** — review and accept the Microsoft Customer Agreement.

> [!NOTE]
> By selecting **Next**, you agree to the Microsoft Customer Agreement and confirm that you are authorized to accept its terms on behalf of your organization.

Once billing account creation is complete, close that window and return to the sandbox setup screen.

4. **Refresh and select your billing account.** After returning to the setup screen, click the small **Refresh (↺)** icon next to the **Billing account** dropdown. Your newly created billing account will now appear in the list. The **Billing profile** and **Invoice section** fields populate automatically — verify they're correct.
4. **Refresh and select your billing account.** If you created a billing account or your existing account isn't listed, select the small **Refresh (↺)** icon next to the **Billing account** dropdown. Select the account that you want to link. The **Billing profile** and **Invoice section** fields populate automatically — verify that they're correct.

> [!TIP]
> If your account still does not appear after refreshing, wait a few seconds and try the refresh button again.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -179,23 +199,35 @@ For resources to help you set up your development environment and deployment pip

Choose the refresh icon next to the **Billing account** dropdown. Allow a few seconds after completing billing account creation before refreshing.

If the billing account still does not appear, try creating a new billing account. If the system shows **BillingAccountAlreadyExists** or displays "Your billing account is ready" but it still doesn't show up in the dropdown, check for the following:
If the billing account still doesn't appear, or if the system shows **BillingAccountAlreadyExists** or displays "Your billing account is ready," check for the following:

#### You don't have permission to use an organizational billing account

An organizational billing account appears only if your signed-in account has permission to use the applicable billing profile and invoice section. Ask your organization's billing administrator to grant the required access, then refresh the billing account list.

For information about billing permissions, see [Billing roles for Microsoft Customer Agreements](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/understand-mca-roles).

**No Azure plan enabled on the account**
#### No Azure plan is enabled on the account

If there is currently no Azure plan enabled on that account, follow the guidance below to create an invoice section. This action may provision the required Azure plan. Once that is complete, retry the setup process.
If you have a valid MCA billing account but no Azure plan is enabled on it, create an invoice section. This action might provision the required Azure plan.

**Reference:** [Organize your invoice based on your needs - Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mca-section-invoice)
For instructions, see [Organize your invoice based on your needs](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mca-section-invoice).

After the invoice section has been created and the Azure plan is available, attempt the setup again.

### Agreement not signed
#### A spending limit is enabled

If a spending limit applies to the Azure subscription associated with the billing account, remove the spending limit, then retry sandbox setup. You must have the required billing permissions and a valid payment method to remove it.

For instructions, see [Azure spending limit](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/spending-limit).

### Microsoft Customer Agreement not signed

If you see an error related to the agreement not being signed, please sign the agreement through the Microsoft Admin Center portal. During this process, the required **billing profile** and **invoice section** will also need to be created.
If you see an error indicating that the Microsoft Customer Agreement hasn't been signed, accept the agreement in the Microsoft 365 admin center. During this process, you also need to create the required **billing profile** and **invoice section**.

You can access the portal here: [admin.microsoft.com](https://admin.microsoft.com)
Go to the [Microsoft 365 admin center](https://admin.microsoft.com) to complete the agreement-signing process.

Once you have completed the agreement-signing flow and the **billing profile** with invoice section has been created, retry the operation. If you continue to experience issues, please share a screenshot of the billing account page and the error message with the correlation ID so we can investigate further.
After you accept the agreement and create the billing profile and invoice section, retry sandbox setup. If the issue continues, contact [Microsoft 365 Developer Program support](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/support) and provide a screenshot of the billing account page and the complete error message, including its correlation ID.

### Set up button remains unavailable

Expand Down